MATH MONDAY
Featuring stimulating mathematics presentations by students, faculty and guests on topics of interest to students including; videos, career opportunities, graduate school opportunities, solutions to interesting problems and overviews of advanced topics in mathematics.
FREE PIZZA*
We will order pizza for everyone who arrives for the presentation and eat afterwards.
Please provide your own beverage.
When: Monday December 3, 6:00 PM.
Where: HHH 310
Speaker: Colin McKinny, University of Iowa
Title: Fractals: From Broccoli to Benoît
Abstract:
In this talk, we will explore the concept of a fractal, which is an object that exhibits some kind of self-similarity. Examples of fractals can be found in nature but can also computer generated.
Broccoli is a fractal found in nature, and we will explore its self similarity. We will discuss a way to systematize the generation of broccoli like fractals using concepts from formal logic, and observe the wealth of other examples that quickly arise. Also, we will discuss the Mandelbrot set, which is a fractal generated via computer by considering a particular function of complex numbers. The Mandelbrot set exhibits an absolute wealth of beautiful structures, which we will explore both in still images and in computer animations. We will also look at modification of the function system which generates the Mandelbrot set and discuss potential numerical ramifications.
* This event is sponsored by the UW-Eau Claire Excellence in Mathematics and Computer Science Scholarship Program.